So, eventhough the top 8 of this year isn't certain yet nor the YE#1 (although good results in Asia would secure it), let's do some early predictions.
1. NADAL, biased or not, surely he is the favourite to do so, although he has never finished consecutive years as #1. I think he'll get loads of points from the first part and then do wel here and there. I predict another 1-2 slams and some Masters.
2. DJOKOVIC, he'll be back, eventhough that's not gonna be good for Rafa, it's excellent for tennis. We missed him in the second part, his name alone adds to the draw. I think he wins a major and some Masters and perhaps WTF. Not sure if he'll start well but he'll get there.
3. FEDERER, Rog wins another slam in 2018 I think, probably his last. Don't expect him to set foot on clay and don't expect him to play too much, maybe even less than this year. Still, his level is still there and I pick him to win a major and master(s) and always a favourite in London.
4. ZVEREV, Young Z will take another step forward. Personally I don't think anyone outside FEDALOVIC wins a slam but I do expect him to make a SF/F next year and continue his great results at M1000s.
5. MURRAY, Andy ended a year at #1 in the Fedalovic era, that'll be the pinnacle of his career. I expect him to make 1-2 deep runs in majors and probably win a masters. He too has been missed in the past few months.
6. WAWRINKA, the slam winning days are over I think, but we'll still see the Stanimal here and there. He'll beat some top players, he'll get upset here and there and we'll deffo see him in the latter rounds of slams.
7. KYRGIOS, probably wishful, Cilic would make more sense although he only has that WIM F and RG QF runs as "impressive" this year. Nick will continue the upsets and the controversy, only more upsets and less controversy.
8. THIEM, based on clay results again. I think he'll be ready to win a Clay Masters and do well at RG again. #2 on clay this year and he has a great clay-court game. Don't expect much elsewhere.
Others: Hopefully Delpo but I've given up on a full healthy year, Cilic will remain dangerous and hopefully someone like Shapo close to top 10.
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